FPV cameras are light, small, and affordable devices mounted on the drone to see where it is flying. If you attach a video transmitter to it, you can see a real-time video feed on your device, tablet, monitor, or smartphone. There are various factors to consider before selecting the FPV camera for your drone. Thus, we have created a list of most reasonable FPV cameras with best features.
Table of Contents
LIST OF BEST FPV CAMERAS FOR DRONES
Aspect ratio, field of view, lens size, dynamic range, and low light performance are some of the features you can find in the list below. We have listed the best FPV cameras for drones to help you make a better choice.
1. RUNCAM SWIFT 2
Price – $31.99
Specs
- Image Sensor :1/3”SONY SUPER HAD II CCD
- Horizontal Resolution:600TVL
- Lens:2.5mm
- FOV:130 degree
- Signal System:NTSC
- Integrated OSD:Yes
- Integrated MIC:Yes
- Electronic Shutter Speed: NTSC: 1/60~100,000（PAL: 1/50~100,000）
- Auto Gain Control (AGC):Yes
- Back Light Compensation (BLC):Yes
- Min. Illumination:0.01Lux1.2F
- WDR:D-WDR
- DNR:2DNR
- Day/Night:Color/Auto/Band amp;
- W Power:DC 5-36V
- Net Weight:14g
- Dimensions:28.5mm*26mm*26mm
Runcam Swift 2 has a variety of mounting options. Runcam Swift 2 outperforms the previous variants and other gold-standard FPV cameras like HS1177. The mounting options make it more flexible for a large range of frames. For smaller, tighter builds, micro versions by The Swift are also available.
There is no need for a complicated OSD with Swift 2. Other top advantages include better picture quality, more vivid colors, sharper text, and an OSD that shows the battery voltage.
2. RUNCAM EAGLE 2
Price – 47.99
Specs
- Model:RunCam Eagle 2 Pro
- Image Sensor:1/1.8″ CMOS Sensor
- Horizontal Resolution:800TVL
- FOV:FOV 170 @ 16:9/FOV 140 @ 4:3
- Screen Format:16:9 / 4:3 Switchable on OSD menu
- Signal System:NTSC / PAL Switchable on OSD menu
- Integrated OSD:Yes
- Integrated MIC:Yes
- S/N: Ratio>50dB
- Electronic Shutter Speed:Auto
- Max Gain:1-9
- Min. Illumination:0.01Lux @1.2F
- WDR:Global WDR
- Day/Night:Auto/External/Color/B&W
- Power:DC 5-36V
- Working Current:12V@90mA / 5V@200mA
- Housing Material:ABS
- Net Weight:15g
- Dimensions:L28mm*W26mm*H28.8mm
Runcam Eagle 2 has a similar form factor to HS1177, but the magnesium alloy housing makes it more durable. The alloy also strengthens it to survive impacts better. Although it has a CMOS sensor instead of CDC, the improvements in CMOS technology enables Runcam to get excellent picture quality.
Based on FOV, there are two options available in Runcam Eagle 2. The 16:9 version for goggles with stretched FOV and the 4:3 version is good for goggles with a square FOV.
3. FOXEER ARROW HS1190
Price – $34.99
Specs
- WDR: D-WDR
- S/N: 52dB
- Weight: 4.5g
- Type: Arrow
- Auto Gain: auto
- White Balance: auto
- System: NTSC/PAL
- Sensor: CCD Horizon
- Resolution: 520TVL
- Sensitivity: 0.008Lux/F1.2
- Working Current: 60mA
- Input Voltage: DC 5V-24V
- Temperature: – 10℃~+50℃
- Backlight Compensation: auto
- Video Output: 1.0V p-p/75ohm
- Scan System: 2:1 interlaced scan
- Lens and Angle: 0.5mm F2.0 /100°
- Size (L x W x H): 11.8 x 11.8 x 24.5mm
- Sensor Size: 4.75mm(H)×3.55mm(V) Pixel:
- NTSC:656(H)×492(V)/PAL:786(H)×576(V)
- Image Signal Processing: digital image processing system
- Digital Shutter: AUTO (1/60 S TO 1/100000 S)/OUT (1/50 S TO 1/100000)S
Foxeer Arrow HS1190 is definitely an upgrade to the all hail “HS1177”. What makes it a better option over HS1177 is OSD. The camera is built in on screen display that shows custom text, battery voltage, and a timer. Nevertheless, for FPV racers, the details you need on the display are the battery voltage and a timer only.
Another amazing feature is the second casing. As the Foxeer Arrow HS1190 is larger than HS1177, it comes with two casings. One of them is the size of HS1177. You can easily switch between the two and mount it like any other camera.
The built-in microphone is a nice touch which allows you to listen to the motors as you fly the drone. You can connect the headphones to goggles for a complete flying experience with sound.
4. CADDX TURBO S1
Price – $30.99
Specs
- Model: Turbo S1
- Image Sensor: 1/3″ CCD Sensor
- Horizontal Resolution: 600TVL
- TV System: NTSC
- Ratio: 4:3
- Synchronization: Internal
- Electronic Shutter: PAL:1/50~100,000;NTSC:1/60~100,000
- S/N Ratio: 60dB(AGC OFF)
- Video Output: CVBS
- Lens: 2.3mm
- Min.IIIumination: 0.01LuxF1.2
- Auto Gain Control: YES
- BLC: YES
- FLY OSD: Voltage/time/horizontal line/title
- Camera OSD: YES
- WDR: D-WDR
- DNR: 2 DNR
- Day/Night: Auto/color/B&W
- Dimensions: 22mm*22mm*27mm
- Wide Power Input: DC 5~40V
- Work Temperature: -20℃~+60℃
- Work Humidity: 20%~80%
- Weight: 12g(N.W)/(G.W)
Caddx Turbo is a new camera in the market in the FPV category. It won’t be wrong to suggest that Turbo has some impressive features that list it among the best FPV cameras for drones.
What it has to offer includes low light image handling, great WDR, and superior latency. So, if the camera is bombarded by too much light or exposed to a comparatively darker ambiance, the image returns to normal quality unassisted and quickly. It also performs well in front of the sun.
They are almost similar to Runcam when it comes to quality performance, but are reasonably priced. To put it simply, you can get an affordable alternative in the form of Caddx Turbo. Another thing that makes Turbo a better option is a large focus adjusting ring on the front.
The silicon-coated cable is another plus in comparison to the plastic ones.
5. RUNCAM OWL 2
Price – $79.99
Specs
- Field of View(FOV): FOV 120°
- Sensor Resolution: 4 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 1920*1440@30fps / 1080p@60fps / 720p@120fps
- Video File Format: MOV
- TV Mod: NTSC / PAL Switchable
- Interface: Micro USB
- Max Micro SD Card Supported: 64G(need class 6 or above)
- Image Flip(Manual/Auto): 180° Rotation
- Dimension: 66mm(L) * 38mm(W) * 21mm(H)
- Battery Capacity: 850 mAh
- USB Power Input: DC 5-15V
- Working Current: < 600 mA
- Weight: 49g(with battery) / 35g(without battery)
Runcam Owl 2, as the name suggests, is a great night camera for drones. It exhibits quality performance in extremely low light conditions. It is everything you need to combat the black and white screen issue when the drone enters dark areas.
Runcam Owl adjusts to the ambiance and keeps the colors to give you very clear picture quality. Along with customizable settings and mounting options, this variant of Runcam FPV allows a huge 150-degree FOV. As it has the same form factor as HS1177, it is made to fit every built.
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